Adjustable manikin



Nov. 9, 1954 R. SANTANA ADJUSTABLE MANIKIN R M r A M 1 m S .I m T I h R s .E 2 w R.

Filed Oct. 21, 1952 NOV. 9, 1954 SANTANA 2,693,900

ADJUSTABLE MANIKIN Filed Oct. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ROBERT SANTANA BY AII'JHIVEY United States Patent Office 2,693,900 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 ADJUSTABLE MANIKIN Robert Santana, New York, N. Y.

Application October 21, 1952, Serial No. 315,923 8 Claims. (Cl. 223-68) This invention relates to dress manikins and more particularly to devices for rotatably and adjustably securing the arms and hands to these dress manikins.

ln manikins now in use, in order to fit the dress onto the manikin it is necessary to completely remove the arms in order to pull the dress on over the head of the manikin, a difficult and time consuming operation, particularly since it is necessary to replace the arms through the dress sleeves. Furthermore, in such manikins the arms are of a fixed length and no provision is made for their adjustment to the particular dress sleeve length involved.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a device for securing the arms to the manikin body which permits the rotation of the arms to an overhead position when it is desired to pull on or remove a dress and which thereby eliminates the necessity of their removal and replacement during such operatrons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for securing the arms to the manikin body which permits the easy rotation of the arms to various desired positions to increase the life-like and natural appearance of the manikin.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device for securing the hands to the manikin arms which permits easy adjustment of the combined length of hand and arm to accommodate various dress sleeve lengths.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a device for securing the arms to the manikin body which includes means for releasably locking the arms in various desired angular positions and which at the same time prevents the arms from becoming separated from the manikin body thereby reducing breakage of the arms and the accidental misplacing of the same.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide devices for securing arms and hands to dress manikins which are of simplified construction, inexpensive to manufacture, have a minimum number of parts, are compact, substantially invisible when in place on the manikin, durable, will have long life and which function in a highly efficient manner. 7

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,

and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a manikin embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the device for securing the arms to the manikin body.

Fig. 3 is an exploded front elevational view of the parts of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, showing them in operative engagement with each other.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a modified form of the device for securing the arm to the manikin body.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of one of the parts shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the device for securing the hand to the manikin arm.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 1212 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 13--13 of Fig. 10.

Referring now in detail to Figs. 1 to 6, in the practice of my invention I provide an arm securing device 13 positioned between the body 14 and the arm 16 of the dress manikin 15, reference throughout being directed to one arm, the other being the same.

The arm securing device 13 consists of a metal disc 17 secured to the body 14 by means of screws 18 located in holes 19 provided near the periphery of the disc. The disc 17 is provided at the center thereof with an outwardly extending cylindrical male member 20 having an annular groove 21.

Surrounding the base male member 20 is a hexagonal element 26 having a purpose later to be described. The hexagonal element and the male member 20 are secured fast to the face of disc 17 by means of a lock washer 20 and a nut 20 threaded securely on to a screw 20 extending from the bottom of member 20 and passed through the hexagonal element 26 and the disc 17.

A complementary metal disc 23 is similarly secured to the arm 16 by means of screws 18 located in holes 19 and is provided at the center on one face thereof with an integrally formed female member 24 of substantially square cross section housed within the arm 16 and adapted to receive from the opposite side of the disc the male member 20 through a hexagonal hole 25 located in the center of the disc 23. The hexagonal element 26 previously referred to is adapted to reside in the hexagonal hole 25 when the two discs coincide as shown in Fig. 2.

The lower side of the female member 24 is provided with a transverse rectangular slot 27 extending from side to side directly below and permitting access to the annular groove 21, a pair of semi-circular holes 28 being provided in the lower edges of the vertical sides of the female member 24 at the ends of the slot 27 in alignment with the annular groove 21. A transverse cylindrical key shaft 29 normally rests in the annular groove 21 and extends outwardly through the semi-circular holes 28, a snap spring 30 fixedly secured to the ends of the shaft and extending around the upper outer portion of the female member 24 maintaining the shaft in operative engagement with the holes 28 and the annular groove 21 whereby to prevent longitudinal, displacement of the female member 24 relative to the male member 20 .as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Means are provided for disengaging the shaft 29 from the holes 28 and the annular groove 21 consisting of a horizontal lever 31 adapted to normally coincide with the under surface of the female member 24 and provided with cars 32 rigidly secured to the ends of the shaft, the lever 31 being further provided at the end adjacent the ears 32 with an integrally formed downwardly extendinghandle 33 which normally rests flush against the disc 23, to the extent of the distance of the circumference of the disc and then extends at its lower end downwardly and away ata slight angle as in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the arm 16 is provided with a cavity 34 adapted to receive the sides of the female member 24 in freely spaced relationship to accommodate the snap spring 30, the cars 32 and the outer ends of the shaft 29 and to permit the downward rotation of the lever 31 about its outer end to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the handle 33 extends downwardly in the natural space below the arm-pit between the arm and the body and is free to move outwardly.

In operation, the disc 17 is first secured to the body 14 with the nut and washer elements 20, 20 extending into a cavity 34* of the body 14. The snap spring 30 is then slipped around the female member 24, with the shaft 29 in the semi-circular holes 28 and resting in the ears 32 of the lever 31. The disc 23 is then secured to the body 16 and the female member 24 partially slipped O'fiid the male member 29. The handle 33 is then fifbid in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 3 so as to hold the shaft 29 free of the groove 21 permitting the female member 24 to be completely slipped onto the male 1116mher 20 until the hexagonal element 26 rests in the hexago'n'al hole 25, at which point the handle 33 is then released and the shaft 29 is pulled by snap spring 30 into the keyivay provided by holes 28 and annular groove. 21. The arm is thus secured against angular displacement relative to the body by the hexagonal element 26 located in the hexagonal hole and against longitudinal displacement relative to the male member 20 by the shaft 29 located in the annular groove21 and holes 28. By simply moving the handle 33 to disengage the shaft 29, the female member may be slid outwardly along the male member 20 until thehexago'nal element no longer rests in the hexagonal hole 25. At this point the arm may be rotated to an overhead position to permit the slipping on of a dress, the female member 24 then being slipped back along the male member 20 to its original position with the hexagonal element 26 engaging the hexagonal opening 25 with the shaft 29 being pulled back into the annular groove 21 by the snap spring to lock the arm in the overhead position.

I ,.It should also be apparent that the arm may be rotated and releasably locked in the above manner to any one of six possible positions, for both slipping a dress on the manikin, in which case the arms would be in the overhead position, and for increasing the natural, life-like appearance of the manikin, in which case the arms could be rotated to any of the other positions.

It should also be apparent that the arm may be rotated and releasably locked in any number of positions, depending onvthe number of sides of the opening 25 and the element 26, and I do not wish to limit myself to the particular figure set forth above. .The fit of the hexagonal element 26 is not such as to prevent frictional turning thereof in the hexagonal opening 25 without releasing the shaft 29 from the annular groove. This is of advantage particularly where slight adjustment of the arm position is desired when the manikin is fully clothed. The pull of the spring 30 serves to tension the upper po'rtion of handle 33 against the disc 23 so as to hold it securely against the opposite disc 17. This tension is sufficient to maintain the arm 16 in most of its adjusted positions. The added frictional engagement of the hexagonal elementin the hexagonal opening serves to aid the spring in supporting and latching the arm in various positions particularly where the manikin is heavily draped.

. In further practice of my invention and referring now particularly to Figs.- 7 to 9, there is shown ,a modified form of my device forsecuring the arm to themanikin body in .which the complementary disc 23, secured to the arm 16, is provided with a modified female member 35 of circularcross-section adapted to receive the cylindrical-male member. 29 throu h a hexagonal hole 36 located in the center of the disc 23. I

The underside of the femalemember 35 isprovided with ,a transverse rectangular slot 37 extending from side to, side directly below and permitting access to the annulargroove 21 and entry therein of the shaft 29 in a mannerv similar to that of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6. There is hereprovided a modified lever 33 of arcuate cross-section adapted to normally coincide with the under surface of the cylindrical female member 24 and having cars 32 receivingthe ends of the shaft 29, the lever 38 being similarly provided at the end adiacent the cars 32 with an integrally formed downwardly extending handle 33 which rests in part flush against the disc 23 and in part extends away from the disc at. a slight angle when in normal position. The other structural details of this modified device are similar to those of the device shown in Fi s. 1 to 6 and the operation is the same.

In furtherv practice of my invention and referring now particularly to Fi s. 10 to 12, there is shown a hand securing device 39 positioned between one lower end of the arm 16 and thehand 40, reference throughont being directed to one hand. the hand associated with the arm at the other side of the body, being the same.

The hand; securing device 39 consists of. an elliptical metal discffil secured tothe lower endof the arm '14 by means of screwsls, located in holesl? provided near the periphery 'of'thedis'c. The disc 41 is provided'o'n the 2. side remote from the arm 14 at the center thereof with an inwardly extending integrally formed rectangular tubu lar socket 42 having a plurality of spaced openings 43 along opposite sides thereof extending substantially the length thereof.

A second elliptical metal disc 44 is similarly secured to the hand 40 by screws 18 in holes 19 and is provided on the side remote from the hand 40 at the center thereof with an upwardly extending integrally formed rectangular male member 45 adapted to slidably enter the tubular socket 42, the outer end of male member 45 being of substantial thickness and having a pair of cylindrical spaced holes 46 each adapted to receive a helical spring 47 and a ball dete'nt 43. as clearly shown in Fig. 11, the spring pressed detents 48 being adapted to each engage the holes 43 at various positions whereby to adjust the distance of the hand 40 from the arm 14.

In operation,.t h e disc-41 is first secured to the arm 14.

The disc 44 is then secured to the hand 40 and the spring 47 and the detents 48 successively pressed into the holes 46, so as to permit the sliding of the male member 45 into the tubular socket 42 until the detent engages the first hole 43 thereby locking the hand at a fixed maximum distance from the arm 14.

By simply exerting a little pressure upon the male member, the detent will be forced out of the hole 43 against the tension of the detent spring, enabling the male member to be further inserted into the tubular socket until the second and third holes 43 are engaged by the detents 48. In this manner the position of the hand from the arm may be adjusted to a desired position.

it should be apparent that the distance between the hand and the arm may be thus varied to any of eight possible lengths to adjust the effective length of the arms to' accommodate various sleeve lengths. It should also be apparent that the effective arm length may adjust to any number of positions, depending on the spacing and the number of holes 43, and i do not wish to limit myself to theparticular number and spacing set forth above.

As prcviously mentioned, similar spaced openings 43 are formed in the opposite sides of the tubular socket 42. From this it will be appreciated that the male element may be inserted in the socket 42 so as to enable its detents to engage the holes 43 on the opposite side of the socket, therebyenabling the hand of the manikin to assume a reverse position when desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that l do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patentis: e I V 1.111 a manikin having a body with arm receiving portions 'and separate arms, a first plate rigidly secured to the body at each arm receiving portion, said first plate having an outwardly extending male member and a polygonal element surrounding said male member, said malemember having an annular groove, 2. second plate rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm, said sec: ond plate having an outwardly extending female meinberadapted to recieiye said male member, the upper end of each arm having a cavity adapted to receive said female-memberin freely spaced relationship, said second plate having a polygonal opening surrounding the entrance to said female member and adapted to contain therein said polygonal element at a desired angular position, spring means adapted to normally engage said annular groove whereby to prevent the arm from falling out after it has been placed in the desired angular position, and manually operable means for disengaging said spring means from said annular groove. I

2. In a manikin having a body with arm receiving portions and separate arms, a first plate rigidly secured to the body at each arm receiving portion, said first plate having an outwardly extending male member and a polygonal element surrounding said male member, said male member having an annular groove, a second plate rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm, said second plate having an outwardly extending female member adapted to receive said male member, the upper endof each arm having a cavity adapted to receive said female member in freely spaced relationship, said second plate having a hole adapted to permit entrance of said male member into said female member, said second plate further having a polygonal opening surrounding said hole adapted to contain therein said polygonal element at various angular positions, said female member having a transverse opening on the underside thereof directly below and permitting access to said annular groove when said male member is within said female member, a transverse key shaft adapted to rest in said annular groove and to extend outwardly of said transverse opening, spring means for normally retaining said key shaft in said annular groove, and manually operable means for disengaging said shaft from said annular groove.

In a manikin having a body with arm receiving portions and separate arms and hands, a disc rigidly secured to the body at each arm receiving portion, said disc having an outwardly extending, cylindrical male member and a hexagonal element surrounding said male member, said male member having an annular groove, a second disc rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm, said second disc having an outwardly extending cylindrical tubular female member adapted to receive said male member, the upper end of each arm having a cavity adapted to receive said female member in freely spaced relationship, said second disc having a circular hole adapted to permit entrance of said male member into said female member, said second disc further having a hexagonal opening surrounding said hole adapted to contain therein said hexagonal element at various angular positions, said female member having a transverse rectangular slot on the underside thereof directly below and permitting access to said annular groove when said male member is completely within said female member, a transverse cylindrical key shaft adapted to rest in said annular groove and to extend outwardly of said slot, a spring fixedly secured to the ends of said shaft and extending around the outer upper portion of said female member whereby to normally retain said key shaft in said annular groove and in said slot to thereby prevent longitudinal displacement of said female member relative to said male member, and manually operable means for disengaging said shaft from said annular groove and said slot.

4. In a manikin having a body with arm receiving portions and separate tarms and hands, a disc rigidly secured to the body at each arm receiving portion, said discs'having an outwardly extending, cylindrical male member and a hexagonal element surrounding said male member, said male member having an annular groove, a second disc rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm, said second disc having an outwardly extending, cylindrical, tubular female member adapted to receive said male member, the upper end of each arm having a cavity adapted to receive said female member in freely spaced relationship, said second disc having a circular hole adapted to permitentrance of said male member into said female member, said second disc further having a hexagonal opening surrounding the entrance to said hole and adapted to contain therein said hexagonal element at various angular positions, said female member having a transverse rectangular slot on the underside thereof directly below and permitting access to said annular groove when said male member is completely within said female member, a transverse cylindrical key shaft adapted to rest in said annular groove and-to extend outwardly of said slot, a spring fixedly secured to the ends of said shaft and extending around the outer upper portion of said female member whereby to normally retain said key shaft in said annular groove and in said slot to thereby prevent longitudinal displacement of said female member relative to said male member, and manually operable means for disengaging said shaft from said annular groove and said slot, said manually operable means comprising a concave lever adapted to normally coincide with the underside of said cylindrical female member, said lever being provided at each longitudinal side with an intergrally formed, vertically extending ear adapted to receive the ends of said key shaft, said lever being further provided at the end adjacent said ears with a downwardly extending handle adapted to normally rest flush against said second disc, said cavity being further adapted to permit downward rotation of said lever about its end remote from said handle.

5. In a manikin having a body with arm receiving portions and separate arms, a first plate including a male extension rigidly secured to the body at each arm receiving portion, a second plate including a female extension rigidly secured to the upper end of each arm said female extension engaging said male extension; a groove in said male extension, a lever secured to said female extension, said lever including a shaft, said shaft being seated in said groove, tension means on said lever and engaging said female extension to hold the arm in adjusted position, and means on said male extension engaged by said female extension to prevent angular displacement.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said last named means comprises a plural-sided element retained on male extension, and said female extension includes a complementary sided opening seated on said male element.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said female extension includes a transverse slot, and semicircular holes in said extension aligned with said groove, said shaft extending through said holes and seated in said groove.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said lever includes a downwardly extending handle resting flush against said plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 743,115 Ufford Nov. 3, 1903 1,272,992 Palmenberg July 16, 1918 2,448,668 Geller Sept. 7, 1948 2,583,786 Marzucco Jan. 29, 1952 2,632,586 Barrango Mar. 24, 1953 

